JD(U) calls Bihar bandh to press for special status

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared Bihar Bandh on 1 March to press for a special status for Bihar.

Patna |
Updated: February 22, 2014 9:03 am

Nitish Kumar told reporters outside Assembly: “I have nothing against Seemandhra getting special status. But why is Bihar’s similar demand is not considered despite Raghuram Rajan Committee report putting Bihar in least developed category states”. PTI

Even as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that JD(U) would enforce Bihar bandh on 1 March to pressure Centre on special category status for Bihar, BJP accused Nitish Kumar of “trying to hijack” special status demand for Bihar and also gave call to not allow any trains to ply through Bihar routes on 28 February to press the same demand with additional demand of tax incentive and development package for Bihar.

Nitish Kumar told reporters outside Assembly: “I have nothing against Seemandhra getting special status. But why is Bihar’s similar demand is not considered despite Raghuram Rajan Committee report putting Bihar in least developed category states”.
The Opposition also joined the bandwagon of special status demand and told Nitish Kumar that NDA-led government would fulfil Bihar’s demand very soon.

Two days after the CM said in the Assembly that he would prefer to get destroyed than join hands with BJP again, former deputy CM and BJP legislature party leader Sushil Kumar Modi reminded Nitish of his promise of “supporting any party that would grant Bihar special category state status”. Sushil Modi said Nitish Kumar must keep his promise if Narendra Modi comes to power at Centre and decides to give Bihar special status.

The BJP stalled the proceedings of the Assembly over its demand of special status, tax incentives and development package, as being discussed for Seemandhra after Telangana being carved out.

Later, speaking to The Indian Express, BJP legislature party leader Sushil Kumar Modi accused Nitish Kumar of hijacking special status demand, “First to make it a JD(U) agenda and subsequently a tool to strike alliance with Congress, though unsuccessfully”.

A day after Rajya Sabha passed the Telangana Bill and announced a financial package for the Seemandhra region, the Opposition parties on Friday demanded special economic package for seven most backward states including Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.

This even led to adjournment of the House till noon. The issue was first raised by SP’s Kiranmay Nanda, who said the Central government has failed to provide financial package to the seven most backward states identified in the Raghuram Rajan report. Nanda wanted the government to act on the recommendation of the Rajan panel report and announce special economic package for the most backward states. ENS